Active material based closure hinge and latch assembly

Abstract

Disclosed herein are active material based closure hinge assemblies, latch assemblies, and alignment methods. In one embodiment, a closure assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a first hinge portion having one end attached to a closure, a second hinge portion attached to the first hinge portion having one end attached to a vehicle body, and an active material configured to provide the first hinge portion with up to six degrees of freedom relative to second hinge portion upon receipt of an activation signal and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

1. An adjustable latch assembly, comprising:
 a bracket having walls defining first and second apertures; 
 a latch pin disposed in the first and second apertures; 
 a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the latch pin, the spacer comprising an active material; 
 a latch for a swing closure that is configured to engage the latch pin; and 
 an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide more than one and up to six degrees of freedom to the latch pin, and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The adjustable latch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a first spacer disposed in the first aperture and a second spacer disposed in the second aperture. 
     
     
       3. The adjustable latch assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first spacer and the second spacer each comprise an active material. 
     
     
       4. The adjustable latch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electroactive polymer, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials. 
     
     
       5. The adjustable latch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, an electric activation signal, a chemical activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, a mechanical load, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing activation signals. 
     
     
       6. The adjustable latch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the active material is configured to undergo a reversible change in at least one property, wherein the reversible change in the at least one property comprises a change in a shape, a shear force, a shape orientation, a flexural modulus, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing properties.